Reusable containers, especially for food products

Abstract

In particular, a food container having a base (3) that is shaped stably to define a storage volume (17), the storage volume (17) extending from the base opening (19) into the volume of the base (3), the base (3) having an inner surface (23) and an outer surface (21), the inner surface (23) defining the storage volume (17) and extending to the base opening, an inner element (5) provided on the inner surface (23), and within the inner element therefor a material to be stored, in particular for storing food. A container is shown and described, having a containment area (25) formed therein, the inner element completely covering the inner surface (23) so that the material contained within the containment area (25), particularly food, does not come into contact with the inner surface (23), the inner element (5) being removably bonded to the inner surface (23), and a planar outer element (7) covering at least a portion of the outer surface (21), preferably in planar contact with the outer surface (21), and removably bonded to the outer surface (21).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates in particular to a container for food products, having a base body which is formed in a shape-stable manner so as to define a receiving volume, the receiving volume extending from a base body opening into the volume of the base body, the base body having an inner face and an outer face, the inner face defining the receiving volume and extending up to the base body opening. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for reusing a container for food products.

[0002] Reusable containers for food products, in particular for beverages, are well known from the prior art. It is also known from the prior art that beverage manufacturers or sellers provide reusable containers which customers can return after emptying the containers. Such containers are in particular cups made of a shape-stable material, in which a receiving volume for accommodating a beverage is provided. In this case, the receiving volume is defined by the inner face of the cup or generally of the base body of the container.

[0003] However, cups or containers of such a type have the following problems. When the container is returned after use, it has to be cleaned using a large amount of water, which on the one hand leads to a significant consumption of resources. On the other hand, beverage manufacturers or sellers also require costs for the cleaning itself of devices which should not be underestimated. Appropriate cleaning machines have to be provided to ensure that the necessary hygiene standards are complied with. For beverage manufacturers or sellers who operate a large number of sales outlets, sometimes on a smaller scale and working分散, these reasons make it impossible to clean and reuse reusable containers or cups at the sales outlets themselves. As a result, the returned containers or cups have to be first transported to a central collection point where they have to be cleaned. Then these containers or cups have to be transferred again to the individual sales outlets where they have to be filled for the customers.

[0004] It should be noted that the word "分散" in the original text seems to be incorrect or incomplete. I have translated it as "分散" as it is, but it may need to be corrected in the original text for a more accurate translation.A further problem is that the washing process can also significantly stress the cup or container, damaging its surface. This, in turn, prevents the cup or container from being used for any desired length.

[0005] Conventional cups or containers known from prior art are only expected to have the specific manufacturer's "brand" inscribed on their outer surface. This also means that cups or containers from different manufacturers cannot be exchanged between them; they must be washed separately and then returned to the sales outlet. In other words, it is impossible to collect cups or containers from different manufacturers in a central location and then return them to their respective manufacturers without sorting them according to their respective manufacturers.

[0006] Against this backdrop, the object of the present invention is to provide a reusable container, particularly for food, that can be easily prepared for reuse after being used and returned.

[0007] Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a reusable container that can be easily prepared for further use by one food manufacturer after its initial use by one food manufacturer.

[0008] Finally, a further objective of the present invention is to provide a reusable container that suffers as little damage as possible when preparing it for further use.

[0009] It should be noted here that the scope of the present invention will be described in terms of cups or containers for food. However, the present invention is not limited to such uses. Rather, the containers according to the present invention can also be used for articles other than food, such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, detergents and cleaning agents, pesticides, fungicides, fertilizers, plastics, lubricants, fuels, coatings, resins, fragrances and aromatic substances, food additives, chemicals, such as solvents, acids, alkaline solutions, surfactants, monomers, additives or other substances, and mixtures of substances.

[0010] According to the present invention, this problem is solved by a container, particularly for food, having a base that is dimensionally formed to define a storage volume, the storage volume extending from the base opening into the volume of the base, the base having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining the storage volume and extending to the base opening, the inner surface being provided with an inner element, within the inner element being formed a storage area for storing material, particularly food, the inner element completely covering the inner surface so that the material, particularly food, to be stored in the storage area does not come into contact with the inner surface, the inner element being detachably bonded to the inner surface, and a planar outer element covering at least a portion of the outer surface, preferably in planar contact with the outer surface and detachably bonded to the outer surface.

[0011] Therefore, more preferably, the container according to the present invention may have a shape-stable substrate that is not elastically deformable or plastically deformable by the user during normal use; that is, the substrate will not deform unless the user applies excessive force to it, i.e., unless a large force is applied to compress it.

[0012] In the context of this invention, the concept of "shape-stable" means that the shape of the substrate is resistant to pressure or heat, i.e., its shape is maintained, and thereby the storage volume remains substantially unchanged. In particular, the substrate may deform elastically or inelastically to an imperceptible degree under the force applied to it by the user during normal use. In particular, the cross-section of the storage volume within the substrate does not change during normal use by the user.

[0013] To ensure such dimensional stability, in this context, the substrate material is preferable as long as it has an elastic modulus exceeding 800 MPa, provided that it is an isotropic material in its mechanical properties.

[0014] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the substrate has a storage volume that extends from the substrate opening into the volume of the substrate. The storage volume is ultimately provided for accommodating a filler, particularly food, inside. The substrate further has an inner surface that defines the storage volume and extends to the substrate opening. Furthermore, the substrate has an outer surface formed by the outward-facing surface of the substrate, and thus separated from the inner surface.

[0015] Furthermore, according to the present invention, an inner element is provided on the inner surface, and within the inner element, a storage area is formed for accommodating a material such as a filler, particularly food. The inner element completely covers the inner surface of the substrate so that the material, such as food, contained in the storage area does not come into contact with the inner surface. Since the inner element is detachably bonded to the inner surface, after the container or storage area is filled with a material or food, the inner element can be easily removed without damaging the inner surface of the substrate, and a new inner element can then be installed on the inner surface, thereby allowing the food or other filler to be accommodated in the storage area again. According to the present invention, in this case, there is no need to painstakingly clean the storage area or the storage volume of the substrate. Rather, it is sufficient to simply remove the inner element and replace it with a new inner element, and then the substrate can be newly filled.

[0016] In this regard, it is preferable that exhaust openings connected to the surrounding area are provided starting from the inner surface, so that when the inner element is in contact with the inner surface, air can escape from the region between the inner element and the inner surface, and the inner element can be in close contact with the inner surface.

[0017] Furthermore, according to the present invention, a planar outer element is provided that covers at least a portion of the outer surface and preferably contacts the outer surface in a planar manner, and the outer element is also detachably coupled to the outer surface. This allows for easy removal and replacement of a “brand” or label that individualizes a container for a particular manufacturer with another “brand,” without requiring any cumbersome steps. In this case as well, in a preferred embodiment, an exhaust opening may be provided in at least a portion of the outer surface that the outer element contacts, and the exhaust opening is connected to the periphery starting from this portion, so that the outer element can also be in close contact with this portion of the outer surface. Alternatively, the outer element itself may have a through-opening, so that air can escape from the region between the outer element and the outer surface of the substrate, and the outer element can be in close contact with the outer surface.

[0018] Therefore, with the container according to the present invention, there is no need to perform a complex, energy- and resource-intensive cleaning process before refilling. For example, the inner element, which can be formed as a film, can be removed from the inside and replaced with a new inner element. The outer element can be done in exactly the same way. This means that if manufacturers and fillers of the material or food in question work with only dispersed, small sales outlets, the container according to the present invention can be returned to such small sales outlets and prepared there for new use. The cumbersome transportation of returned containers to a central processing facility can be avoided.

[0019] The removable connection between one inner element and one outer element and the other substrate is, in this case, formed such that the inner element can be pulled out from the inner surface without damaging the inner surface, and / or the outer element is provided so as to be removable from the outer surface without damaging the outer surface.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the inner element has a first bonding element, and a second bonding element is provided on the inner surface of the substrate, and the first and second bonding elements are mechanically, preferably via a shape bond, that are removable. In such a preferred embodiment, the inner element is mechanically bonded to the inner surface of the substrate, for example, via a shape bond. This provides a secure bond between the inner element and the substrate.

[0021] In supplementary or alternative embodiments, the inner element may be bonded by a removable attachment between at least one portion of the inner surface of the inner element and at least one portion of the inner surface. Such a planar bond between the inner element and the inner surface of the substrate makes it virtually imperceptible to the user during use that an additional inner element is provided within the containment volume.

[0022] However, it is also possible that the entire inner surface is removably bonded by adhesion to the inner surface of the inner element. In such embodiments, the inner surface is completely covered and bonded to the inner element, which results in particularly good adhesion of the inner element to the inner surface.

[0023] In particular, the removable bond between the inner surface of the inner element and the inner surface, formed by adhesion, can be configured to allow the inner element to be pulled out from the inner surface without damaging the inner surface. This ensures that the substrate can be reused very frequently, as no damage occurs to the inner surface of the substrate.

[0024] In particular, to provide a firm bond between the inner element and the substrate in the inner surface region, an adhesion promoter and / or adhesive can be provided between the inner surface and the outward-facing surface of the inner element.

[0025] In a further preferred embodiment, the inner element is formed from plastic, preferably from a single plastic, and more preferably from a single plastic. In such a single-plastic embodiment, after the filler is removed from the container, the inner element can be easily removed from the substrate and recycled. Separation of the individual plastic components of the inner element is not required.

[0026] In a further preferred embodiment, the inner element is provided within the housing volume by a deep drawing step. Such a deep drawing step can be implemented relatively easily and leads to the inner element conforming to the internal shape. This is especially true when the substrate forms a shaping tool for the inner element during the deep drawing step.

[0027] However, in a further preferred embodiment, the inner element may be manufactured in a separate deep drawing process and subsequently attached to the substrate, positioned on the inner surface of the substrate, and possibly bonded to the substrate. Alternatively, the inner element may be manufactured by a film process and bonded to the substrate in the form of a film bag, such as a round-bottom bag or a self-standing bag. Further possible manufacturing methods for the inner element are extrusion blow molding, injection stretch blow molding, blow molding, or injection embossing.

[0028] Alternatively, the inner element may be provided within the containment volume by a coating step, preferably a solution, suspension, or emulsion, in which the inner surface is coated with the material of the inner element. In this case as well, the (new) introduction of the inner element into the substrate can be easily performed mechanically.

[0029] However, within the scope of the present invention, it is also possible for the inner element to be formed as a film bag.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the substrate has an inner recess that extends into the substrate away from the inner surface, and the substrate has a first connection portion connected to the inner recess on the outer surface, whereby the inner recess can be connected to a negative pressure source via the first connection portion. In such an embodiment, by applying a negative pressure to the inner recess, the inner element can be attracted to the inner surface, thereby providing a good and tight bond between the inner element and the inner surface. Furthermore, in order to remove the inner element from the inner surface, an overpressure can be applied to the recess, thereby pushing the inner element away from the inner surface.

[0031] Furthermore, it is preferable if the material of the inner element is a semi-crystalline polymer having a melting point higher than 90°C, preferably higher than 150°C, or an amorphous polymer having a glass transition temperature higher than 90°C, preferably higher than 110°C. Such materials are thermally stable in the temperature range that is maximally present especially when the food in the form of a beverage is filled into the container. Therefore, such materials are particularly well-suited when the container according to the present invention is to be used with food.

[0032] In another preferred embodiment, the material of the inner element is a semi-crystalline plastic having a glass temperature below 0°C, or a plastic mixture in which at least one component has a glass transition temperature below 0°C.

[0033] The inner element thus formed is well-suited for containing food in the form of frozen products.

[0034] In further preferred embodiments, the material for the inner element is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, and polylactide, as well as copolymers thereof, mixtures thereof, and copolymers of these mixtures. These materials have been found to be particularly suitable when used with food.

[0035] Furthermore, in particularly preferred embodiments, the inner element is characterized by being dimensionally stable, preferably not elastically deformable or inelastically deformable by the user during normal use. In this case, the shape of the inner element, in particular the shape of the outward-facing inner surface of the inner element, is adapted to the extension of the inner surface of the substrate. In this embodiment, the inner element can be easily inserted into each substrate, thereby minimizing the effort required to prepare the container according to the present invention before filling.

[0036] Alternatively, in another preferred embodiment, the inner element may be formed to be deformable, preferably plastically deformable.

[0037] To maintain a minimal amount of material required for the inner element, it is preferable that the wall thickness of the inner element be less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.1 mm.

[0038] In a further preferred embodiment, the container has a shielding element extending across a base opening, the shielding element abutting against an inner element to close off a containment area, and the shielding element is removablely attached to the inner element, the outer element, and / or the base. Such a shielding element functions to close off the containment area from the surroundings after filling with a filler, particularly food.

[0039] In this case, in a further preferred embodiment, the shielding element may be detachably connected to the inner element, preferably integrally formed with the inner element, so that it can be removed from the inner element, but preferably so that the shielding element cannot be removed from the inner element without destruction, after which the containment area becomes accessible from the outside and the inner element completely covers the inner surface. With such a structure, first, when a user wants to remove the contents, in particular food present in the containment area, the user can easily open the initially closed containment area. However, when opened, the inner element remains intact as long as the inner surface of the substrate remains covered and does not come into contact with the contents. If, in a preferred manner, the shielding element cannot be removed from the inner element without destruction, the shielding element may be unintentionally or against intently excluded from the return process.

[0040] It is even more preferable if a weakening line is provided between the inner element and the shielding element so that the user can easily remove the shielding element.

[0041] Furthermore, the shielding element may be sealed or bonded to the inner element. In this case, the shielding element can be easily removed without the risk of damaging the inner element. The sealing or bonding may be locally and partially reversible, thereby allowing the shielding element to be repeatedly opened and closed after installation. However, the shielding element may be connected to the inner element, outer element, or substrate via a film hinge.

[0042] To further simplify the recycling process for the combination consisting of an inner element and a shielding element, it is preferable that the materials of the shielding element, the inner element, and / or the outer element are the same.

[0043] In another preferred embodiment, a mechanical connection is provided between the shielding element and the substrate, inner element, or outer element, preferably including a shape connection, particularly a threaded connection, bayonet connection, or locking connection. This further strengthens the bond between the shielding element and the substrate, including the inner element.

[0044] In this case, more preferably, the shielding element has a through-opening that can be reversibly closed by a film element. This allows the container to be initially closed by a mechanical connection between the shielding element and the substrate, inner element, or outer element, and then the user only needs to peel the film element from the shielding element to access the contents of the container. The reversible connection between the film element and the shielding element also allows the through-opening in the shielding element to be closed again after being opened.

[0045] In a further preferred embodiment, the substrate has a bottom opening located opposite the substrate opening, into which a bottom member is inserted to close the bottom opening. An inner element can be provided within the housing volume through the bottom opening located opposite the substrate opening by a separate bottom member. This is particularly advantageous when the housing volume tapers from the bottom opening toward the substrate opening. It is especially preferable if the bottom member is removably inserted into the bottom opening so that the inner element can be easily replaced.

[0046] In a further preferred embodiment, the outer element is preferably bonded to the outer surface by a removable adhesion, preferably entirely. This provides a robust bond between the outer element and the substrate. In this case, the removable bond formed by adhesion between the outer surface and the outer element is particularly preferred if it is configured to allow the outer element to be pulled out from the outer surface without damaging the outer surface. This avoids damage to the outer surface of the substrate when the outer element is repeatedly bonded.

[0047] In another preferred embodiment, the outer element may be attached to the outer surface by shrinkage.

[0048] In another embodiment, the outer element is manufactured by a thermoforming or injection molding process and subsequently bonded to the substrate.

[0049] Alternatively, the outer element can be attached by a coating step of a solution, suspension, or emulsion, in which the outer surface is covered with the material of the outer element. In a preferred embodiment, the outer element may also be formed from a stretch film.

[0050] More preferably, the outer element is formed from plastic, preferably from a single plastic, and even more preferably from a single plastic. It is preferable that the outer element is formed from a single plastic, preferably from a single plastic, in order to simplify the recycling process for the outer element as much as possible. In a further preferred embodiment, the outer element and the inner element may be bonded to each other, and in particular may be formed integrally with each other. In this case, it is particularly preferable that the outer element and the inner element are made of the same material. This further simplifies recycling.

[0051] In a further preferred embodiment, the outer element may have a lid tongue so as to be able to close the containment area within the inner element, the lid tongue extending across the base opening and configured to abut against the inner element so as to close the containment area. In this case, the lid tongue may be sealed to the inner element, and preferably a weakening line is provided between the inner element and the lid tongue.

[0052] Furthermore, in order to enable the container according to the present invention to be used well for high-temperature or low-temperature fillings, the outer element may be formed as an insulating sleeve.

[0053] In a further preferred embodiment, the substrate extends between a substrate opening and a bottom surface located opposite the substrate opening, with an outer surface provided between the substrate opening and the bottom surface, and a bottom element provided which is removablely attached to the bottom surface and covers the bottom surface. The bottom element ensures that, in addition to the outer surface of the substrate covered by the outer element, a further portion of the outer surface is covered by the replaceable element, so that smaller damage to the outer surface of the substrate does not directly lead to the substrate becoming unusable. In particular, contamination of the substrate in the area of ​​the bottom element is also prevented.

[0054] The removable joint between the bottom element and the base is, in this case, also formed so that the bottom element can be pulled out from the bottom surface without damaging the bottom surface.

[0055] In this case, it is particularly preferable if the bottom element extends over a section of the outer surface and overlaps with the outer element. This ensures that the bottom element and the outer element are securely held to the base.

[0056] In this embodiment, it is preferable that the outer element, inner element, and bottom element are made of the same material in order to further simplify the recycling process for the combination consisting of the inner element, outer element, and bottom element.

[0057] In a further preferred embodiment, the substrate has an outer recess extending inward from the outer surface, and the substrate has a second connection on its outer surface connected to the outer recess, thereby allowing the outer recess to be connected to a negative pressure source via the second connection. By applying negative pressure to the outer recess, the outer element is attracted to the outer surface of the substrate, thereby ensuring secure attachment to the outer surface of the substrate.

[0058] In a further preferred embodiment, the substrate may have a memory unit that is preferably non-contact readable and preferably rewritable, the memory unit being configured to contain a unique code and / or a value representing the state of the container for the substrate. This makes it possible to know how often an inner element has been provided and subsequently filled in a given substrate. This makes it possible to select substrates that have exceeded a specified number of uses.

[0059] Preferably, the substrate material is at least partially foamed in order to provide good insulation to the surrounding area within the inner element.

[0060] Furthermore, it is preferable that the substrate material has a thermal conductivity of less than 0.5 W / mK. This ensures good insulation of the containment area.

[0061] Additionally or alternatively, to achieve good thermal insulation of the containment area, the substrate may be specified to be configured as a hollow body having one or more hollow chambers.

[0062] More preferably, the substrate material is a partially crystalline polymer having a melting point higher than 90°C, preferably higher than 150°C, or an amorphous polymer having a glass transition temperature higher than 90°C, preferably higher than 110°C. This ensures that the substrate also has the necessary thermal stability within the temperature range that food may be present at when the container is filled.

[0063] Finally, in preferred embodiments, the substrate material may be selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polystyrene, and polylactide, as well as copolymers thereof, mixtures thereof, and copolymers of such mixtures.

[0064] A preferred manufacturing method for the substrate is foam injection molding. Another possible manufacturing method for the substrate is particle foaming or thermoforming of foamed film.

[0065] Furthermore, the above problem relates to a method for reusing food containers, wherein the container is formed by one or more of the embodiments described above, and the method involves the following steps, namely: - The steps of removing the inner element from the inner surface and removing the inner element from the container's base volume, - Insert the alternative inner element into the containment volume and attach it to the inner surface of the container, in which case the alternative inner element is configured in the same way as the inner element. This is resolved by a method that includes [a specific method].

[0066] The method according to the present invention avoids the need to painstakingly clean the substrate, particularly the substrate's containment volume, as has already been described in relation to the container according to the present invention. After removing the first used inner element, it is only necessary to introduce a replacement inner element into the substrate's containment area, and the first used inner element can be recycled.

[0067] In this case, it is particularly preferable if the alternative inner element is provided within the accommodating volume of the substrate by a deep drawing step. This allows for good fit and contact of the inner element with the inner surface of the substrate, even though the effort required to install the alternative inner element is relatively small, as has already been described.

[0068] In this case, it is particularly preferable if the base body serves as a shaping tool for the inner element during the deep drawing step. This further reduces the effort required to install the inner element.

[0069] However, alternatively, the alternative inner element may also be provided within the containment volume by a coating step, preferably with a solution, suspension, or emulsion, in which the inner surface is coated with the material of the alternative inner element.

[0070] The base has an inner recess extending inward from the inner surface, and the base has a first connection on its outer surface connected to the inner recess, thereby allowing the inner recess to be connected to a negative pressure source via the first connection. More preferably, during the step of installing the alternative inner element, negative pressure is applied to the first connection. This causes the inner element to be attracted to the inner surface, resulting in close contact with the inner surface.

[0071] In a further preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the following steps: - The steps of removing the outer element from the outer surface of the substrate and removing the outer element, - A substitute outer element is attached to the outer surface of the substrate, in which case the substitute outer element is configured in the same way as the outer element. Includes.

[0072] In this embodiment, the outer element is also replaced when the container is prepared for other uses.

[0073] In this case, the alternative outer element is particularly preferable if its outer surface is coated with the material of the alternative outer element, preferably by a coating step with a solution, suspension, or emulsion.

[0074] Alternatively, the outer elements can be attached to the outer surface by shrinkage.

[0075] The substrate has an outer recess extending inward from its outer surface, and the substrate has a second connection on its outer surface connected to the outer recess, thereby allowing the outer recess to be connected to a negative pressure source via the second connection. It is even more preferable if negative pressure is applied to the second connection during the step of attaching the alternative outer element. This achieves close contact between the outer element and the outer surface of the substrate.

[0076] In a further preferred embodiment, the method according to the present invention further comprises the following steps: - The steps of removing the bottom element from the bottom surface of the base and removing the bottom element, - A replacement bottom element is attached to the bottom surface of the base, in which case the replacement bottom element is configured in the same way as the bottom element. Includes.

[0077] In this embodiment, smaller damage to the outer surface of the substrate does not directly lead to the substrate becoming unusable. In particular, contamination of the substrate in the area of ​​the bottom element is also prevented.

[0078] The present invention will be described below with reference to drawings that simply illustrate preferred embodiments. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0079] [Figure 1] This is an exploded view showing a first embodiment of the container according to the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the container. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view showing the container in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a detailed view of Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is another detailed view of Figure 3. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of the container according to the present invention. [Figure 7] This is a cross-sectional view showing a third further embodiment of the container according to the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view showing a further fourth embodiment of the container according to the present invention. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view showing a further fifth embodiment of the container according to the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view showing a further sixth embodiment of the container according to the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a cross-sectional view showing a further seventh embodiment of the container according to the present invention. [Figure 12] This is a cross-sectional view showing a further eighth embodiment of the container according to the present invention.

[0080] Figures 1 and 2 show exploded and perspective views of a first embodiment of container 1 according to the present invention, which in this preferred embodiment is configured to contain food. However, the present invention is not limited to the use of container 1 according to the present invention only for food. Rather, containers according to the present invention are also suitable for containing other articles such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, detergents and cleaning agents, pesticides, disinfectants, fertilizers, plastics, lubricants, fuels, coatings, resins, fragrances and aromatic substances, food additives, chemicals, such as solvents, acids, alkaline solutions, surfactants, monomers, additives or other substances, and mixtures of substances.

[0081] An embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention comprises a base 3, an inner element 5, and an outer element 7. Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment shown herein, a shielding element 9 and a bottom element 11 are provided, and a rewritable memory unit 15, i.e., an RFID chip, is mounted between the bottom element 11 and the bottom 13 of the base 3.

[0082] As shown in Figure 1, the base 3 has a storage volume 17 inside it that extends from the base opening 19 into the base 3. Furthermore, the base 3 is morphologically stable, defining the storage volume 17 and having a shape that is resistant to pressure or heat, i.e., its shape is maintained, thereby keeping the storage volume 17 substantially unchanged. In this preferred embodiment, the base is configured so as not to be elastically or plastically deformed by the user during normal use. In particular, the base is not elastically deformable to a measurable or visually verifiable extent by the force that is normally applied to the base 3 by the user.

[0083] To ensure such dimensional stability, in this preferred embodiment, the material of the substrate 3 is assumed to be isotropic in its mechanical properties and to have an elastic modulus greater than 800 MPa.

[0084] Furthermore, the base body 3 has an outer surface 21 facing outward and an inner surface 23 that defines the storage volume 17 and extends to the base body opening 19.

[0085] In the preferred embodiments described herein, the material of the substrate 3 is at least partially foamed to ensure good thermal insulation of the containment volume 17. In this case, in particular, the region of the substrate 3 that forms the wall surrounding the containment volume 17 can be formed at least partially as foamed. Specifically, the material of the substrate 3 has a thermal conductivity of less than 0.5 W / mK in at least this region. Alternatively to the foamed configuration, the substrate 3 may also be configured as a hollow body having one or more hollow chambers.

[0086] The material of base 3 may be a partially crystalline polymer having a melting point higher than 90°C, preferably higher than 150°C, or an amorphous polymer having a glass transition temperature higher than 90°C, preferably higher than 110°C. In particular, the material of base 3 may be selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polystyrene, and polylactide, as well as copolymers thereof, mixtures thereof, and copolymers of these mixtures.

[0087] Furthermore, as can be seen from Figure 1, the first embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention further has an inner element 5 that abuts against the inner surface 23 of the base body 3, in which case the inner element 5 defines a storage area 25 in which materials such as food can be stored. In this case, the inner element 5 covers the inner surface 23 so that the materials stored in the storage area 25 do not come into contact with the inner surface 23. Furthermore, since the inner element 5 is detachably coupled to the inner surface 23, the inner element can be easily removed from the storage volume 17 of the base body 3 after the container has been used.

[0088] As can be seen from the enlarged views in Figures 4 and 5, the exhaust opening 26 connected to the periphery is provided starting from the inner surface 23, which allows air to escape from the region between the inner element 5 and the inner surface 23 while the inner element 5 is in contact with the inner surface 23, thus enabling the inner element 5 to be in close contact with the inner surface 23.

[0089] In the preferred embodiment described herein, the inner element 5 is bonded by a removable adhesion between at least one portion of the outer surface of the inner element 5 facing the inner surface 23 and at least one portion of the inner surface 23. In particular, the entire inner surface 23 is completely bonded by adhesion to the surface of the inner element 5 facing the inner surface 23. However, it is also conceivable that only a portion of the inner surface 23 is bonded to the inner element 5 by adhesion.

[0090] In this case, in the embodiment described herein, the removable bond between the outer surface of the inner element 5 facing the inner surface 23 and the inner surface 23, formed by adhesion, is configured such that the inner element 5 can be pulled out from the inner surface 23 without damaging the inner surface 23. That is, even if the inner element 5 is repeatedly pulled out from the inner surface 23 of the substrate 3, this does not cause damage to the surface of the inner surface 23, and this damage does not lead to, for example, roughening, which would make it difficult to pull out the inner element 5 later. Rather, even after the inner element 5 has been pulled out multiple times, the surface of the inner surface 23 remains smooth, and its roughness does not increase significantly.

[0091] In the embodiments described herein, an adhesion promoter and / or adhesive is provided between the inner surface 23 and the outward-facing surface of the inner element 5.

[0092] As an alternative to or supplement to bonding by adhesion, the inner element 5 may be specified to have a first bonding element 26' and a second bonding element 26'' provided on the inner surface 23 of the substrate 3, thereby the first bonding element 26' and the second bonding element 26'' being mechanically, preferably via a shape bond, that are removable.

[0093] In the embodiments described herein, the inner element 5 is made of plastic, and in the preferred embodiments described herein, it is made of a single piece of plastic. This has the advantage of allowing the inner element 5 to be easily recycled, because there is no need to separate the individual plastic components from each other during the recycling process.

[0094] Furthermore, in the embodiments described herein, the inner element 5 is provided within the housing volume 17 by a deep drawing step. In this case, the base body 3 is made to form a shaping tool for the inner element 5 in this deep drawing step. That is, the inner element is provided by a deep drawing step in which another tool, which is moved into the housing volume 17 of the base body 3, deforms the material of the inner element 5 so that it comes into contact with the inner surface 23 of the base body 3 and subsequently adheres there.

[0095] However, the present invention is not limited to providing the inner element 5 within the housing volume 17 by a deep drawing step. For example, although not shown herein, the inner element 5 may be provided within the housing volume 17 by a coating step in which the inner surface 23 is covered with the material of the inner element 5.

[0096] Finally, the inner element 5 can also be formed as a film bag.

[0097] To achieve the inner element 5 being attracted to the inner surface 23 so that a large area of ​​contact is made between the outward-facing surface of the inner element 5 and the inner surface 23, the substrate may have an inner recess 26a extending within the substrate 3 away from the inner surface 23. In this case, the substrate 3 is provided with a first connection portion 26b on its outer surface 21 that is connected to the inner recess 26a, thereby allowing the inner recess 26a to be connected to a negative pressure source via the first connection portion 26b. When negative pressure is applied to the connection portion 26b, the inner element 5 is firmly attracted to the inner surface 23. This may be particularly important if the inner element 5 exists in the form of a film.

[0098] The material of the inner element 5 may be a partially crystalline polymer having a melting point higher than 90°C, preferably higher than 150°C, or an amorphous polymer having a glass transition temperature higher than 90°C, preferably higher than 110°C. In particular, the material of the inner element 5 may be selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, and polylactide, as well as copolymers thereof, mixtures thereof, and copolymers of these mixtures.

[0099] According to the present invention, in a preferred embodiment, the inner element 5 may be formed in a shape-stable manner, preferably rigidly, so that it is not elastically deformable by the user during normal use, and in particular not inelastically deformable. This may, in some cases, facilitate the removal of the inner element 5 from the base body 3. However, the inner element 5 may also be formed to be deformable, preferably plastically deformable.

[0100] To keep material consumption for the inner element 5 to a minimum and to allow for the largest possible volume of the containment area, the wall thickness of the inner element 5 is less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.1 mm.

[0101] To ultimately ensure that the material of inner element 5 does not lose the strength required for food at normal temperatures, in the embodiments described herein, the material of inner element 5 has a glass transition temperature higher than 90°C, particularly higher than 110°C, in the case of amorphous polymers, and a melting point higher than 90°C, preferably higher than 150°C, in the case of partially crystalline polymers.

[0102] When a food item that has been cooled to a low temperature is to be placed in the container 1 according to the present invention, the material of the inner element 5 may be a partially crystalline plastic having a glass temperature of less than 0°C, or a plastic mixture in which at least one component has a glass transition temperature of less than 0°C.

[0103] Furthermore, as can be seen particularly from Figures 1 and 2, the container 1 according to the present invention has a planar outer element 7 that covers at least a portion of the outer surface 21, preferably in planar contact with the outer surface, and is detachably bonded to the outer surface 21. In the case of the outer element 7, this outer element is also detachably bonded to the outer surface 21 by adhesion in the embodiment described herein. The bond between the outer surface 21 and the outer element 7 is configured such that this detachable bond, formed by adhesion, allows the outer element 7 to be pulled out from the outer surface 21 without damaging the outer surface 21. With this configuration, after one use of the container 1 according to the present invention, both the inner element 5 and the outer element 7 can be easily removed from the base 3, and the base can be reused. In this case, the detachability of the outer element 7 makes it possible to attach a different label to the base 3 when reusing it.

[0104] To firmly bond the outer element 7 to the outer surface 21 and ensure that a bond based on adhesion between the outer element and the outer surface 21 is achieved, the outer element 7 can be attached to the outer surface by shrinkage.

[0105] In this case as well, in a preferred embodiment, although not shown, an exhaust opening similar to the exhaust opening 26 may be provided on the outer surface 21 in a section that at least the outer element 7 contacts, and since the exhaust opening is connected to the surrounding area starting from this section, the outer element 7 can also come into close contact with this section of the outer surface 21. Furthermore, similar to the inner recess 26a, an outer recess extending into the base 3 so as to be away from the outer surface 21 can be provided on the outer surface 21, and in this case, the base 3 has a second connection part on the outer surface 21 that is similar to the first connection part 26b and connected to the outer recess, thereby allowing the outer recess to be connected to a negative pressure source via the second connection part.

[0106] However, the outer element 7 may be attached by a coating step in which the outer surface 21 is covered with the material of the outer element 7. In a further alternative, the outer element 7 is formed of a stretch film.

[0107] Similar to the inner element 5, in the embodiments described herein the outer element 7 is also formed from a single piece of plastic. In particular, because the outer element is made from a single piece of plastic, the recycling process for the used outer element 7 can be carried out as simply as possible, and in particular, the material of the outer element 7 and the material of the inner element 5 may be the same.

[0108] In particular, in relation to high-temperature foods, the outer element 7 can be formed as an insulating sleeve to facilitate handling of the container according to the present invention.

[0109] Furthermore, as can be seen from Figures 1 and 2, in the first embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention, a shielding element 9 is provided that can shield the base opening 19, the shielding element extending across the base opening 19 and contacting the inner element 5 so as to close the storage area 25 to its surroundings. In the first embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention, the shielding element 9 is detachably attached to the base 3. That is, the shielding element 9 can close the storage area within the inner element, which can, for example, contain food, and in this case, since the shielding element is detachably held by the base 3, the shielding element 9 can be easily removed by the user.

[0110] In the first embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention described herein, a mechanical connection is provided between the shielding element 9 and the base body 3, in which case the connection is formed as a locking connection by the shielding element 9 being fitted onto the edge of the base body opening 19 of the base body 3.

[0111] However, alternatively, the mechanical connection between the shielding element 9 on the one hand and the base 3, inner element 5 and / or outer element 7 on the other hand may be formed by a shaped connection such as a screw connection or a bayonet connection.

[0112] As an alternative to mechanical connections, the shielding element 9 may be detachably connected to the inner element 5, preferably integrally formed with the inner element 5, so that it can be removed from the inner element 5 so that the accommodating area 25 becomes accessible from the outside after removal, and the inner element 5 completely covers the inner surface 23. Thus, the shielding element 9 may be connected to the inner element 5 and may be formed, for example, as an additional element extending across the base opening 19. If the user wishes to release the accommodating area 25, the user releases the additional element, in which case the inner element 5 remains unaffected, i.e., still completely covers the inner surface 23 of the base 3.

[0113] To facilitate the aforementioned opening or release of the containment area 25, a weakening line can be provided between the inner element 5 and the shielding element 9, for example, in the form of perforations or in the form of a line in which the material of the shielding element 9 is made thinner. Alternatively, the shielding element 9 may be sealed or bonded to the inner element 5.

[0114] The shielding element 9 may be connected to the inner element 5, the outer element 7, or the base 3 via a film hinge so that it can be swung away from the base opening 19. In particular, in this case, the shielding element 9 may be integrally formed with the outer element 7.

[0115] In particular, to ensure that the recycling process for the inner element 5, outer element 7, and shielding element 9 is as simple and trouble-free as possible, the materials of the shielding element 9, inner element 5, outer element 7, and bottom element 11 are identical.

[0116] Finally, Figures 1 and 2 show that the shielding element 9 is provided with a through-opening 27, which can be reversibly closed by a film element not shown in the drawings.

[0117] Finally, Figures 1 and 2 show that a bottom element 11 is provided on a base 3 that extends between the base opening 19 and the bottom surface 29 facing the base opening, in which case the outer surface 21 is positioned between the base opening 19 and the bottom surface 29. In this case, the bottom element 11 is detachably attached to the bottom surface 29 and shields the bottom surface. In particular, as can be seen from Figures 3 and 5, which show a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention, omitting the shielding element 9, the bottom element 11 extends over a portion of the outer surface 23 and overlaps with the outer element 7.

[0118] Since the bottom element 11 is also detachably coupled to the base 5, the bottom element 11 can also be easily removed from the base 5 and replaced with a new bottom element 11. In this case, to further simplify the recycling process, the material of the bottom element 11 may be the same as that of the outer element 7 and the inner element 5. As can be further seen from Figures 1 and 5, the bottom surface 29 of the base 3 is provided with a memory unit 15 in the form of a contactless readable and rewritable RFID chip 31, which is configured to contain a unique code and / or a value representing the state of the container 1 for the base 5. In the preferred embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention described herein, this means that the number of use cycles, i.e., the number of times the inner element 5, outer element 7, and bottom element 11 have been replaced, can be written to the RFID chip 31.

[0119] Furthermore, from the cross-sectional views in Figures 3 and 4, it can be seen that the inner element 5, which abuts the inner surface 23 of the base 3, is bent to surround the upper edge 33 of the base 3 that encloses the base opening 19, and in this case extends onto the outer surface 21 of the base 3. Also, since the portion of the inner element 5 extending onto the outer surface 21 is overlapped by the upper end of the outer element 7, the inner element 5 is securely held to the base 3 in the region of the edge 33. However, it is also conceivable that the portion of the inner element 5 extending onto the outer surface 21 is placed on the side of the outer element 7 opposite to the base 3.

[0120] Furthermore, Figure 5 shows that the bottom element 11 has a portion that extends beyond the bottom surface 29 of the base body 3, and that this portion is in contact with the outer surface 21 of the base body 3. Since the outer element 7 is also placed on this portion of the bottom element 11 that is in contact with the outer surface 21, the bottom element 11 is also securely held by the base body 3. However, even in this case, it is also possible that the portion of the bottom element 11 that extends beyond the bottom surface 29 is placed on the surface of the outer element 7 that is opposite to the base body 3.

[0121] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention, which is configured in exactly the same way as the first embodiment and similarly has a base 3, an inner element 5, an outer element 7, and a bottom element 11, which are mounted and configured substantially the same way as in the first embodiment.

[0122] In this embodiment, the inner element 5 does not extend onto the outer surface 21, but rather the outer element 7 is sized to have a portion that is bent to surround the upper edge 33 of the base 3, and the inner element 5 is placed on this bent portion, which differs from the structure of the first embodiment only in that this portion is located between the inner element 5 and the base 3.

[0123] Furthermore, this embodiment has a lid tongue 35 on the outer element 7, which extends across the base opening 19 and is configured to abut against the inner element 5, thereby closing the containment area 25. In this case, the lid tongue 35 is sealed against the inner element 5, and a weakening line 37 is provided between the inner element 5 and the lid tongue 35, thereby allowing the lid tongue 35 to be easily removed from the inner element 5 in order to open the container 1.

[0124] Figure 7 shows a third embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention, which is configured very similarly to the container 1 according to the first and second embodiments. This embodiment differs from the previously described embodiments only in that the portion of the bottom element 11 that extends beyond the bottom surface 29 abuts against the outer element 7 from the outside, thereby ensuring that the outer element 7 is securely held in place by the base 3 in the region of the bottom 13.

[0125] A fourth embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention, shown in Figure 8, differs from the above-described container 1 in that, in this case, the bottom element 11 is formed in a different form. In this embodiment, the outer element 7 has a greater length than the base body 3. When the base body 3 is inserted into the outer element 7 and the outer surface 21 of the base body 3 is in firm contact with the outer element 7, a portion of the outer element 7 further extends beyond the bottom surface 29 of the base body. This portion is then bent toward the bottom surface 29, thereby bringing this portion into contact with the bottom surface and forming the bottom element 11. If the outer element 7 is attached in a shrinkage process, the folding process can be carried out in a single step including the shrinkage process.

[0126] Figure 9 shows a fifth embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention, which is also configured in a manner very similar to the embodiments described above. In this embodiment, the upper edge 33 of the base 3 is similarly covered by a portion of the outer element 7. However, unlike the embodiments in Figures 1 to 5 and Figure 6, the inner element 5 does not overlap the uppermost portion of the outer element 7.

[0127] Finally, Figure 10 shows a sixth embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention, which differs from the embodiments described above in that the outer element 7 and the inner element 5 that abut the outer surface 21 or inner surface 23 of the base 3 are integrally formed with each other. Therefore, in this embodiment, there is no transition between the outer element 7 and the inner element 5 in the region of the upper edge 33.

[0128] The embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention shown in Figure 11 has a shielding element 9 that is removably coupled to an inner element 5 and integrally coupled to the inner element, and this shielding element can be removed from the inner element 5 along the weakening line 37 by splitting in order to open the base opening 19, in which case the remaining inner element 5 remains unaffected, i.e., still completely covers the inner surface 23 of the base 3. In other respects, this embodiment is configured the same as the embodiment shown in Figure 6.

[0129] The eighth embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention, shown in Figure 12, also has a base 3 containing a storage volume 17 extending from a base opening 19 into the base 3. Furthermore, the base 3 is configured to define the storage volume 17 and to be shape-stable, meaning its shape is resistant to pressure or heat, i.e., its shape is maintained, thereby keeping the storage volume 17 virtually unchanged. In addition, the base 3 has an outer surface 21 facing outward and an inner surface 23 that defines the storage volume 17 and extends to the base opening 19.

[0130] In this embodiment, the base body 3 is further provided with a bottom opening 39 located opposite the base body opening 19, and a bottom member 41 is removably inserted into this bottom opening, thereby closing the bottom opening 39.

[0131] Furthermore, as can be seen from Figure 12, this eighth embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention similarly has an inner element 5 that abuts against the inner surface 23 of the base 3, in which case the inner element 5 defines a storage area 25 in which a material such as food can be stored. In this case, the inner element 5 covers the inner surface 23 so that the material stored in the storage area 25 does not come into contact with the inner surface 23. Furthermore, since the inner element 5 is detachably coupled to the inner surface 23, the inner element can be easily removed from the storage volume 17 of the base 3 after the container has been used.

[0132] A separate bottom member 41 allows the inner element 5 to be placed within the storage volume 17 through a bottom opening 39 located opposite the base opening 19. This is advantageous in the eighth embodiment because the storage volume 17 tapers from the bottom opening 39 toward the base opening 19. The structure with the bottom opening 39 allows for easy replacement of the inner element 5.

[0133] If the material initially present in the containment area, such as food, is removed, the embodiment of container 1 can be reused by the following steps: - The steps of removing the inner element 5 from the inner surface 23 and removing the inner element 5 from the storage volume 17 of the base 3 of the container 1, - The alternative inner element 5 is inserted into the storage volume 17 and attached to the inner surface 23 of the container 1, in which case the alternative inner element 5 is configured in the same way as the inner element 5.

[0134] Furthermore, in the preferred embodiment described herein, the alternative inner element 5 is provided within the housing volume 17 of the base 3 by a deep drawing step, in which case the base 3 serves as a shaping tool for the inner element 5 during the deep drawing step.

[0135] However, the alternative inner element 5 may also be provided within the housing volume 17 by a coating step in which the inner surface is covered with the material of the alternative inner element 5.

[0136] If the base 3 is formed with a recess on its inner surface 23 that is connected to the first connection, then in the step of introducing the alternative inner element 5, negative pressure is applied to the first connection in order to ensure that the inner element 5 makes firm contact with the inner surface 23.

[0137] In the embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention described herein, the following steps are further carried out: - The step of removing the outer element 7 from the outer surface 21 of the base 3 and removing the outer element 7, - A step in which the alternative outer element 7 is attached to the outer surface 21 of the base 3, in which case the alternative outer element 7 is configured in the same way as the outer element 7.

[0138] In the embodiment of the container 1 according to the present invention described herein, the alternative outer element 7 is attached to the outer surface 21 by a covering step in which the outer surface 21 is covered with the material of the alternative outer element 7. However, it is also conceivable that the outer element 7 may be attached to the outer surface 21 by shrinkage.

[0139] If the base body 3 is formed with a recess on its inner surface 21, then in the step of attaching the alternative outer element 7, negative pressure is applied to the second connection portion in order to pull the alternative outer element 7 toward the outer surface 21. [Explanation of symbols]

[0140] 1 container 3 Base 5. Inner element 7. Outer element 9 Shielding element 11 Bottom element 13. Bottom (Bottom Element) 15. Rewritable memory unit (RFID chip) 17. Storage volume 19 Base opening 21 Exterior 23 Inner self 25. Enclosure area (inner element) 26 Exhaust opening 26',26'' Joint element 26a Inner recess 26b First connection 27 Through-opening 29 Bottom surface (base body) 31 RFID chips 33 Upper edge 35 operculum 37 Line of weakness 39 Bottom opening 41 Bottom member

Claims

1. In particular, a food container having a base (3) that is shaped stably to define the storage volume (17), The aforementioned storage volume (17) extends from the base opening (19) into the volume of the base (3), The substrate (3) has an inner surface (23) and an outer surface (21), The inner surface (23) defines the storage volume (17) and extends to the base opening. An inner element (5) is provided on the inner surface (23), and a storage area (25) for storing materials, particularly food, is formed within the inner element, and the inner element completely covers the inner surface (23) so that the materials, particularly food, to be stored in the storage area (25) do not come into contact with the inner surface (23). The inner element (5) is detachably connected to the inner surface (23), A container provided with a planar outer element (7) that covers at least a portion of the outer surface (21), preferably in planar contact with the outer surface (21), and is detachably bonded to the outer surface (21).

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the base (3) is formed in a shape-stable manner so that it is not elastically deformable or inelastically deformable by the user during normal use, thereby preventing a change in the shape of the storage volume (17).

3. The inner element (5) is removable from the inner surface (23) so as to be able to be pulled out from the inner surface (23) without damaging the inner surface (23), and / or The container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the outer element (7) is detachably provided on the outer surface (21) so that the outer element (7) can be pulled out from the outer surface (21) without damaging the outer surface (21).

4. The inner element (5) has a first bonding element (26'), and the inner surface (23) of the substrate is provided with a second bonding element (26''). The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first bonding element (26') and the second bonding element (26'') are removably bonded mechanically, preferably via shape bonding.

5. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inner element (5) is joined by a removable attachment between at least one portion of the outer surface of the inner element (5) facing the inner surface (23) and at least one portion of the inner surface (23).

6. The container according to claim 5, wherein the entire inner surface (23) is detachably bonded by adhesion to the entire surface of the inner element (5) facing the inner surface (23).

7. The container according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the removable bond between the outer surface of the inner element (5) facing the inner surface (23) and the inner surface (23), formed by adhesion, is configured to allow the inner element (5) to be pulled out from the inner surface (23) without damaging the inner surface (23).

8. A container according to any one or more of claims 5 to 7, wherein an adhesion promoter and / or adhesive is provided between the inner surface (23) and the outer surface of the inner element (5).

9. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 8, wherein the inner element (5) is formed from plastic, preferably from a single plastic, and more preferably from a single plastic.

10. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 9, wherein the inner element (5) is provided within the storage volume (17) by a deep drawing step.

11. The container according to claim 10, wherein the base (3) forms a shaping tool for the inner element (5) during the deep drawing step.

12. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 9, wherein the inner element (5) is provided within the storage volume (17) by a covering step in which the inner surface (23) is covered with the material of the inner element (5).

13. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 9, wherein the inner element (5) is formed as a film bag.

14. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 13, wherein the base body (3) has an inner recess (26a) extending inward from the inner surface (23), and the base body (3) has a first connecting portion (26b) on its outer surface (21) connected to the inner recess (26a), thereby allowing the inner recess (26a) to be connected to a negative pressure source via the first connecting portion (26b).

15. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 14, wherein the material of the inner element (5) is a partially crystalline polymer having a melting point higher than 90°C, preferably higher than 150°C, or an amorphous polymer having a glass transition temperature higher than 90°C, preferably higher than 110°C.

16. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 14, wherein the material of the inner element (5) is a partially crystalline plastic having a glass temperature of less than 0°C, or a plastic mixture in which at least one component has a glass transition temperature of less than 0°C.

17. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 16, wherein the material of the inner element (5) is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, and polylactide, and copolymers thereof, mixtures thereof, and copolymers of such mixtures.

18. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 17, wherein the inner element (5) is formed to be dimensionally stable, preferably not elastically deformable or inelastically deformable by the user during normal use.

19. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 17, wherein the inner element (5) is formed to be deformable, preferably plastically deformable.

20. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 19, wherein the wall thickness of the inner element (5) is less than 1 mm, preferably less than 0.1 mm.

21. A container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 20, wherein a shielding element (9) is provided extending over the base opening (19), the shielding element abuts against the inner element (5) to close the housing area (25), and the shielding element (9) is detachably attached to the inner element (5), the outer element (7), and / or the base (3).

22. The container according to claim 21, wherein the shielding element (9) is detachably connected to the inner element (5) and preferably integrally formed with the inner element (5), so that after removal the housing area (17) can be accessed from the outside and the inner element (5) completely covers the inner surface (23).

23. The container according to claim 22, wherein a weakening line is provided between the inner element (5) and the shielding element (9).

24. The container according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the shielding element (9) is sealed or bonded to the inner element (5).

25. The container according to any one or more of claims 21 to 24, wherein the shielding element (9) is connected to the inner element (5), the outer element (7), or the base (3) via a film hinge.

26. The container according to any one or more of claims 21 to 25, wherein the material of the shielding element (9), the inner element (5), and / or the outer element (7) is the same.

27. A container according to any one or more of claims 21 to 26, wherein a mechanical connection is provided between the shielding element (9) and the base (3), the inner element (5), or the outer element (7), and preferably the mechanical connection includes a shape connection, particularly a screw connection, a bayonet connection, or a locking connection.

28. The container according to any one or more of claims 21 to 27, wherein the shielding element (9) has a through-opening (27) that can be reversibly closed by a film element.

29. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 28, wherein the base (3) has a bottom opening (39), and a bottom member (41) is inserted into the bottom opening, thereby closing the bottom opening (39).

30. The container according to claim 29, wherein the bottom member (41) is removably inserted into the bottom opening (39).

31. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 30, wherein the outer element (7) is preferably attached to the outer surface (21) in a removable manner, preferably over its entire surface.

32. The container according to claim 31, wherein the removable bond formed by adhesion between the outer surface (21) and the outer element (7) is configured to allow the outer element (7) to be pulled out from the outer surface (21) without damaging the outer surface (21).

33. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 32, wherein the outer element (7) is attached to the outer surface (21) by shrinkage.

34. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 32, wherein the outer element (7) is attached by a coating step in which the outer surface (21) is covered with the material of the outer element (7).

35. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 32, wherein the outer element (7) is formed of a stretch film.

36. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 35, wherein the outer element (7) is formed from plastic, preferably from a single plastic, and more preferably from a single plastic.

37. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 36, wherein the outer element (7) and the inner element (5) are connected to each other and are in particular integrally formed with each other.

38. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 37, wherein the material of the outer element (7) and the inner element (5) is the same.

39. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 38, wherein the outer element (7) has a lid tongue (35) which extends across the base opening (19) and is configured to abut against the inner element (5) so as to close the containment area (25).

40. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 39, wherein the outer element (7) is formed as an insulating sleeve.

41. The base (3) extends between the base opening (19) and the bottom surface (29) facing the base opening. The outer surface (21) is provided between the base opening (19) and the bottom surface (29), A container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 40, wherein a bottom element (11) is provided which is detachably attached to the bottom surface (29) and covers the bottom surface.

42. The container according to claim 41, wherein the bottom element (11) extends over a portion of the outer surface (23) and overlaps with the outer element (7).

43. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 42, wherein the base (3) has an outer recess extending inward from the outer surface (21), and the base (3) has a second connecting portion on the outer surface (21) connected to the outer recess, thereby allowing the outer recess to be connected to a negative pressure source via the second connecting portion.

44. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 43, wherein the substrate (3) has a memory unit (31) which is preferably readable by non-contact and preferably rewritable, and the memory unit is configured to include a code and / or a value representing the state of the container (1) with respect to the substrate (3).

45. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 44, wherein the material of the substrate (3) is at least partially foam.

46. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 45, wherein the material of the substrate (3) has a thermal conductivity of less than 0.5 W / mK.

47. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 46, wherein the substrate (3) is configured as a hollow body having one or more hollow chambers.

48. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 47, wherein the material of the substrate (3) is a partially crystalline polymer having a melting point higher than 90°C, preferably higher than 150°C, or an amorphous polymer having a glass transition temperature higher than 90°C, preferably higher than 110°C.

49. The container according to any one or more of claims 1 to 47, wherein the material of the substrate (3) is selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polystyrene, and polylactide, as well as copolymers thereof, mixtures thereof, and copolymers of such mixtures.

50. A method for reusing a food container (1), wherein the container (1) is formed according to one or more of claims 1 to 49, and the method involves the following steps, namely: - The steps of removing the inner element (5) from the inner surface (23) and removing the inner element (5) from the storage volume (17) of the base (3) of the container (1), - Insert the alternative inner element (5) into the storage volume (17) and attach it to the inner surface (23) of the container, in which case the alternative inner element (5) is configured in the same way as the original inner element (5), A method that includes this.

51. The method according to claim 50, wherein the alternative inner element (5) is provided within the housing volume (17) of the base (3) by a deep drawing step.

52. The method according to claim 51, wherein the base (3) forms a shaping tool for the inner element (5) during the deep drawing step.

53. The method according to claim 50, wherein the alternative inner element (5) is provided in the housing volume (17) by a covering step in which the inner surface (23) is covered with the material of the alternative inner element.

54. The method according to any one or more of claims 50 to 53, with reference to claim 14, wherein in the step of providing the alternative inner element (5), a negative pressure is applied to the first connection portion (26b).

55. The above method further involves the following steps, namely, - The steps of removing the outer element (7) from the outer surface (21) of the base (3), and removing the outer element (7), - The alternative outer element (7) is attached to the outer surface (21) of the base body (3), in which case the alternative outer element (7) is configured in the same way as the outer element (7), The method according to any one or more of claims 50 to 53, including

56. The method according to claim 55, wherein the alternative outer element (7) is attached to the outer surface (21) by a covering step in which the outer surface (21) is covered with the material of the alternative outer element (7).

57. The method according to claim 55, wherein the outer element (7) is attached to the outer surface (21) by shrinkage.

58. The method according to any one or more of claims 55 to 57, with reference to claim 43, wherein in the step of attaching the alternative outer element (7), a negative pressure is applied to the second connection.

59. The above method further involves the following steps, namely, - The steps of removing the bottom element (11) from the bottom surface (29) of the base (3) and removing the bottom element (11), - The alternative bottom element (11) is attached to the bottom surface (29) of the base body (3), in which case the alternative bottom element (11) is configured in the same way as the bottom element (11). A method according to any one or more of claims 50 to 58, which include, by reference to claim 41 or 42.

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